7

It’s one of the largest objections to the Christian faith: ‘How could a loving God send people to Hell?’ Is God loving and just if he send people to a place where they will be eternally separate from His presence? Join us as we bring together four different perspectives on the doctrine of Hell.

The BEST worldview conference in Chicagoland!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Hear from world-class speakers

 

Connect with people like you

 
Register Now

Enjoy beautiful Lake Geneva and the nearby Chicago area

 

The BEST worldview conference in Chicagoland!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Hear from world-class speakers

 

Connect with people just like you

 

Enjoy beautiful Lake Geneva and the nearby Chicago area

 
Register Now

Meet the 2023 Keynote Speakers

Chris Date

Chris Date is a well-known evangelical Christian author, editor, blogger, podcaster, debater, and speaker. Representing a global movement known as Rethinking Hell, he specializes in the area of Hell and Conditional Immortality. As an expert on these topics, Chris has been interviewed in such secular media outlets as the New York Times, National Geographic, and NPR.

Shawn Bawulski
Shawn Bawulski was born & raised in the Midwest. He studied at Moody Bible Institute, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland). His thesis on the doctrine of eternal punishment was awarded the 2012 Samuel Rutherford Prize for best doctoral thesis in Divinity.
James Beilby
Jim Beilby is Professor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology at Bethel University, where he has taught for 23 years. He has published 13 books, most recently, Postmortem Opportunity: A Biblical and Theological Assessment of Salvation after Death (IVP, 2021), and over 40 articles.
Eric Reitan
Eric Reitan is Philosophy Professor at Oklahoma State University, specializing in the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics (with a special focus on Christian Ethics). He is an award winning author and is co-author of God’s Final Victory: A Comparative Philosophical Case for Universalism, regarded by many as the most comprehensive defense of Christian universalism to date.

Program Schedule

March 17-19, 2023

Conference Point Center
300 Conference Point Rd
Williams Bay, WI 53191

Friday

4:00 – 5:15pm Check-in
5:15pm Orientation – Soderquist Lodge
5:30pm Dinner
6:45 PM Welcome
7:00 PM Keynote 1
8:15 PM Breakout #1

Saturday

8:30 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Keynote 2
11:15 AM Breakout #2
12:30 PM Lunch
1:45 PM Keynote 3
3:00pm Breakout #3
4:15 PM Keynote 4
5:30 PM Dinner
6:45 PM RESPONSES*
9 PM Ice Cream Social

Sunday

8:30 AM Breakfast
9:30 AM Worship Service – Soderquist Lodge
10:00 AM Panel Discussion

11:00 AM Q&A with Panel*

12:00 PM Check-out

Open Breakout Track

“The Historical St. Patrick” – Breakout #1
Dr. Kurt Jaros, Theologian & Apologist – Veracity Hill

“Jesus as Master Thinker” – Breakout #2
Chad Gross, co-host of the Apologetics315 podcast

“The Afterlife in the Cults” – Breakout #3
David Montoya, ex-Mormon – Mormon Suicide

 

Ratio Christi Staff Breakout Track

“Discerning the Culture: Why Apologetics?”
Wes Farewell, Regional Ministry Director, Great Plains

“Discerning Your Calling: Ambassadors for Christ”
Larry Baxter, Chief Operating Officer

“Building your Leadership Team of Students and Staff”
R.C. staff panel

* During the “RESPONSES” and “Q&A with Panel” sessions, Ratio Christi staff will conduct staff sessions.

Program Schedule

March 17-19, 2023

Conference Point Center
300 Conference Point Rd
Williams Bay, WI 53191

Friday

4:00 – 5:15pm Check-in

5:15pm Orientation

5:30pm Dinner
6:45 PM Welcome
7:00 PM Keynote 1
8:15 PM Breakout #1

Saturday

8:30 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Keynote 2

11:15 AM Breakout #2
12:30 PM Lunch
1:45 PM Keynote 3
3:00pm Breakout #3
4:15 PM Keynote 4
5:30 PM Dinner
6:45 PM RESPONSES*
9 PM Ice Cream Social

Sunday
8:30 AM Breakfast

9:45 AM Panel Discussion

11:00 AM Check-out

 

Open Breakout Track

“The Historical St. Patrick” – Breakout #1
Dr. Kurt Jaros, Theologian & Apologist – Veracity Hill

“Jesus as Master Thinker” – Breakout #2
Chad Gross, co-host of the Apologetics315 podcast

“The Afterlife in the Cults” – Breakout #3
David Montoya, ex-Mormon – Mormon Suicide

Ratio Christi Staff Breakout Track
“Discerning the Culture: Why Apologetics?”
Wes Farewell, Regional Ministry Director, Great Plains

“Discerning Your Calling: Ambassadors for Christ”
Larry Baxter, Chief Operating Officer

“Building your Leadership Team of Students and Staff”
R.C. staff panel

 

 * During the RESPONSES session, Ratio Christi staff will conduct staff sessions.

Conference Sponsors

“Speakers were inspiring & thought provoking!”
“So well done, fascinating, and engaging speakers with incredible knowledge. “
“I don’t usually say this about conferences, but I wish it were longer.”
“I found all the topics new viewpoints to me. Some challenging, but all strengthened my faith in the Gospel. Thanks!”
“Loved it! Can’t imagine what it takes to plan and make a conference like this one. It was fantastic!”

Check out our past events!

Just click the image below to watch it!

We can’t do what we do without our sponsors.

If you would like to sponsor or be a vendor at the Defenders Conference, please fill out this contact form, and we will followup with you!

Become a sponsor and you will receive: Logo on all promotional materials (posters, conference program), logo and description of your organization/business on the conference website, special social media posts thanking your organization for sponsorship, logo rotating on main screens in between sessions, and an optional two-minute pitch to the whole audience during on-site lunch session.

Cost: $300

Want to be a vendor at the Defenders Conference?

You’ll receive: one table in the exhibition area to showcase your organization and verbal recognition by the host at the event.

Cost: $200

Ice Cream Social Sponsor

Have your company, organization, or foundation receive special recognition and gratitude for helping to fund our ice cream social!

 

Payment for sponsorship must be received before benefits are given. Final deadline for sponsorship is March 1. Vendors will be considered until all available tables are claimed or March 1 (whichever comes first).